How does God’s agape love work in our lives? Derek helps us to see that we cannot move in God’s love until it has first been birthed within us by the Holy Spirit. Then, as we get to know the One who has given us this love, we can come to know and experience God’s love in our lives. There is much more to it than we can imagine, but eventually it will flow out from us to others.

In today’s session, Derek provides Scriptures that address God’s ability to bring healing to hearts wounded by rejection. There are wounds of feeling unwanted, unloved, uncared for, unappreciated, or losing God’s perspective of one’s own value. Derek especially looks at two primary areas where rejection occurs—between a husband and wife, and that of a child from his or her parents.

Derek takes the parable of the sinful woman and the Pharisee to show how love and forgiveness are obtained through faith, not works. God’s love cannot be bought. It cannot be earned. And it is priceless. The amazing fact is—it is freely given!

So, what has motivated God to move so graciously in the ways of men? It certainly is not because we merited it in some way, but simply because He loves us. God chose Israel, too—not because they were special but because He loved them. He chooses us, as well—not because we have earned it, but just because He loves us.

Today Derek looks at what it means to believe or rely on God’s love for us. God’s love is unconditional, we should respond to Him in the same way, with no strings attached, no conditions, no reservations. It takes spiritual revelation, not natural reasoning, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep the love of God is.

Derek’s study today goes into more detail regarding agape love. Agape love is self-giving, it goes the second mile, it is unconditional, and it is perfectly demonstrated in Jesus. Finally, we must see that love proceeds out of faith. The death of Christ would accomplish God’s purposes, based on both God’s faith and Christ’s faith.

In today’s session, Derek looks at four different words for love, how they are used in Scripture, and how they differ from one another. This understanding is important so that we will know what is meant when Scripture talks about the love of God. What is this picture of agape love demonstrated in Christ dying for us?

Today Derek points out that Holiness requires both a sacrifice and a priest to offer it. In the all-sufficiency of Jesus, both of these were provided. Jesus became both the sacrifice and the High Priest. Jesus was the Lamb of God who takes away our sin, and through the eternal Spirit He offered Himself without blemish to God.

Scripture speaks of God dwelling in unapproachable light, and yet His love for mankind draws them to Him. Derek looks at how this love of God took on flesh with light inside in the person of Jesus, so He could draw near to them.

Derek begins this Christmas season study on the love of God by stressing the need to know the One from whom it comes. We can only know God as Father if we know His Son, Jesus Christ. This love is so vast. Paul prayed for believers to have a revelation of it, as he continued all his earthly life seeking to know this One, and exhorting all to follow after him.